IT Project Manager (FTC)

Job Description

BUSINESS FUNCTION: Information Services
SALARY: £48,048 - £55,000 / Grade: ML2:SB1
ROLE TYPE: Fixed Term Contract (9 months)
LOCATION: York/Leeds
HOURS: 37 per week

Our Information Services team keeps Northern moving every single day – not just by looking after today’s technology, but by shaping the systems that will power the railway of tomorrow. As IT Project Manager, you’d help turn ideas, business needs and technical possibilities into a well-run project that lands smoothly and make a real difference for colleagues and customers.

You’d be the steady hand guiding a portfolio of a key IT project from first scoping conversations to final delivery. Working with subject matter experts, suppliers, stakeholders and third-party partners, you’d bring clarity, structure and pace to every stage. When competing demands, risks or shifting priorities appear, you’d help keep things on track and focused on what matters most.

What you’ll be doing

You’d oversee the full project lifecycle, using the right methodologies to deliver outcomes on time and within budget. That includes:

• Planning, managing and delivering IS projects from end to end using structured, controlled approaches.
• Producing clear project documentation – scoping papers, plans, budgets, risks, issues, resource schedules and status reports – and keeping stakeholders well informed.
• Defining scope, goals and deliverables and securing sign-off at the right stages.
• Using robust risk management strategies that suit each project’s complexity and scale.
• Leading functional and non-functional requirements gathering to make sure needs are fully understood and prioritised.
• Creating detailed project plans and adapting timelines when changes to the baseline arise.
• Working with IS Management to secure the right project resources and escalating any gaps.
• Implementing change control and assessing how proposed changes affect scope, cost and timelines.
• Recommending improvements to project governance and running lessons-learnt sessions.
• Liaising closely with Procurement and Finance Business Partners to ensure business cases, spending and benefits tracking stay on course.
• Working with HR Business Partners when resource approvals or permissions are needed.
• Carrying out any additional duties relevant to the role and your competence.

About you

You bring experience in delivering complex projects, ideally across software, operational or core IT environments. You’ve managed risk, steered projects through competing priorities and built strong relationships with senior stakeholders along the way.

A proven track record in structured project management is essential – alongside the ability to create solid plans, adapt quickly when circumstances change and communicate with clarity.

You’re comfortable working across multiple locations, juggling demands and keeping projects moving with confidence and transparency.

Clear thinking, calm leadership and a collaborative approach – those are the things you’ll bring to the table.

What’s in it for you?

At Northern, we don’t just value our people - we go the extra mile to support them. Here’s a taste of what you can look forward to:

Free Travel: Unlimited free travel for you, your partner, and your dependents on Northern services. Plus up to 75% discount on other networks in the UK and Europe.

Generous Pension Scheme: We top up your contributions by 1.5 times.

Enhanced Family Benefits: We offer 9 months of full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks for paternity leave.

Cycle to Work Scheme: Save up to 42% on a bike and spread the cost.

Electric Car Scheme: Lease a brand new electric or plugin hybrid car.

Exclusive Discounts: From shopping to wellbeing, Northern Perks has you covered.

Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family, lifestyle, and more.

Training and Career Development: We offer tailored training to our colleagues and opportunities to gain recognised qualifications. Plus enhanced career pathways no matter what part of the business you’re in.

Recognition: We know how important it is to show how much we appreciate our people. That’s why we have our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards, recognising and celebrating brilliance every day.

Why Northern?

We’re more than just a train operator. We’re the heartbeat of the North - connecting communities, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth. With 2,500 trains running daily, we’re on a mission to improve rail travel and enhance the customer experience while protecting the environment.

Back in 1825, the first passenger train set off in the North of England, after which rail quickly spread across the globe - and this year, we’re celebrating 200 years of the modern railway. As we look back on the historic events that led us here, we also look towards the future as we move into the era of Great British Rail. Join us at this pivotal moment in rail history and play your part in our journey.

A place for everyone

The best journeys happen when everyone feels welcome on board.

At Northern, we don’t just move people from A to B - we’re building a team where everyone feels they belong. Our talent team can make reasonable adjustments to the process if that’s something you need. We're also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer, so if you meet the minimum criteria for the role, we’ll always offer an interview.

We automate parts of our screening process to remove any unconscious bias and to make sure every application is treated fairly. All successful offers will be subject to a DBS check and a medical assessment.

No matter your background, experience, or whether you call it a bap, barm, or cob… there’s a place for you here in the railway.